Portable Rechargeable Battery Powered Flameless Cigar Lighter

ABSTRACT

A pocket size electric lighter having a heating element made of nichrome which has been seated firmly in a material of low thermal conductivity while having a thin top coating of thermally conductive material. Power to the heating element is provided via rechargeable battery. A small charging port provides a means to recharge the battery as necessary.

BACKGROUND ART

Lighters are typically filled with a combustible liquid which is set aflame by one of various means. There are lighters dubbed “flameless” which are marketed by Colibri, but even these lighters produce a blue flame and burn a combustible liquid. Common lighters are generally difficult to refill, and the fumes produced during combustion can reduce the enjoyment of a fine cigar since the fumes may be drawn up into the tobacco leaf during lighting. Furthermore, the flame produced by most lighters is of insufficient diameter to evenly light the foot of a cigar, and the excess heat often leads to charred uneven burns.

In considering prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,235,157 was examined although it describes a lighter that is not fit for lighting cigars. The prior art does use a nichrome element to provide heat, however the patent describes a lighter using disposable batteries and a small element that is meant to be used for cigarettes which are of a small standard diameter. The prior art provides no suggestion regarding rechargeable batteries, sturdy construction of a larger heating element suitable for evenly lighting the end of a large diameter cigar, protection from accidental movement of switches while stored in a pocket, or sturdy construction of a visually appealing casement.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The lighter consists of five primary parts:

-   -   1. The outer shell and sliding cover made of a visually         appealing, sturdy material such as brushed aluminum with         optional decorative finishings.     -   2. A rechargeable battery capable of providing sufficient         current to the heating element. For example, a 3.7 or 7.4 volt         lithium ion polymer battery cell or pack could be used.     -   3. A small charging port providing a means to connect the         battery for recharging. The system may be configured to recharge         via USB connection, or AC adapter.     -   4. Circuitry required to power the element. This may be direct         wire connections with a SPDT switch, or a printed circuit board         for the USB charging method having a tact switch mounted on the         PCB.     -   5. A heating element consisting of a length of nichrome wire         spirally wound into a flat spiral shape and set into a mass of         thermally insulating material and covered with a thin coat of         thermally conductive material to protect the element and provide         an even heating surface. This thermally conductive covering will         distribute the heat evenly over the end of a cigar of any         reasonable diameter.

The primary purpose of this invention is to provide a portable, elegant, flameless cigar lighter that is reusable for many years and fully functional in any wind condition. A further purpose is to provide a means to light a cigar which produces no fumes that could alter the enjoyment of the cigar's character. A final purpose is to provide a safe invention that is easy to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawings have been provided to assist in the visualization of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a potential case configuration. It contains an opening for the element, charge port, and recessed button area to prevent unintentional button pressing.

FIG. 2 is a potential configuration for the heating element wire.

FIG. 3 demonstrates the heating element seated in a thermally insulating material covered by a thermally conductive material.

FIG. 4 is a potential circuit design for a configuration that is recharged through an adapter connected directly to the battery.

FIG. 5 is a potential circuit design for a configuration that is recharged through USB connection. The circuit contains a charging chip, power mosfet, and tactile switch all of which could be mounted to a printed circuit board.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This description is provided as a means of illustration of the invention and is not meant to limit elements of the design or scope from reasonable changes in keeping with the overall purposes stated above.

The case depicted in FIG. 1 is approximately 40 mm by 90 mm by 10 mm and houses a battery, button, charge port, and heating element as well as the necessary conductive elements for the operation of the circuit. It is a rectangular prism shape made of a sturdy material such as metal, hard plastic, carbon fiber, etc. An alternative case configuration could contain a sliding cover and other potential enhancements.

FIG. 2 illustrates the spiral configuration for the heating element wire connected to copper terminations. The wire used to terminate the nichrome spiral may be a relatively thick gauge wire welded onto the nichrome through brazing, or a solid metal conductor fixed onto the housing case. Other typical nichrome termination methods may also be applied.

FIG. 3 illustrates the placement of the element within a thermally insulating material while the upper half of the element is covered in a thin layer of thermally conductive material which provides an even distribution of heat as well as a strong, durable protective shell to fix the nichrome wire in place.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sample circuit design for a configuration that is recharged via wall plug-in adapter. This circuit feature a single pole, double throw switch that disconnects the charging port from the battery whenever the element is on. In this configuration, the wiring can be hand soldered to all connection points and contained within the casing.

FIG. 5 illustrates a sample circuit design that features a USB chargeable port. The circuit includes a lithium polymer charging integrated circuit, a tactile switch, and a power mosfet to control current flow through the heating element. In this configuration a printed circuit board would be required to mount the components.

As previously described, these are the claims made pertaining to the invention: 

1. A cigar lighter in the general shape of a rectangular prism having a solid outer casing housing the following elements: A rechargeable battery cell or pack; A charging port fixed in place and positioned to accept a charging jack that may be inserted into the side of the lighter. A heating element fixed in place. A push button or switch fixed in place.
 2. The lighter of claim 1, wherein said heating element is covered with a thermally conductive material and seated in a thermally insulating material
 3. The lighter of claim 2, wherein said heating element is made of nichrome or other resistive wire such as Kanthal.
 4. The lighter of claim 3, wherein said heating element is wound into a flat spiral shape.
 5. The lighter of claim 4, having a visually appealing casing made of durable material.
 6. The lighter of claim 5, wherein said heating element is connected to the battery via printed circuit board or via user operable switch.
 7. The lighter of claim 6, wherein said printed circuit board contains circuitry necessary for USB recharging of the battery and switching the element on while the button is held down. 